Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1921

Erving

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Erving
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1921
23 babies
All-time total
940
#5,329 all-time among boys
First recorded
1881
in Social Security records

Erving popularity over time

940 babies have been named Erving since 1881, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1881Boys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Boys Per year Change Best rank
1880s 7 1 – #732
1890s 5 1 -29% #1,134
1900s 23 2 +360% #1,138
1910s 124 12 +439% #1,217
1920s 165 17 +33% #1,601
1930s 100 10 -39% #1,939
1940s 64 6 -36% #2,224
1950s 102 10 +59% #1,930
1960s 47 5 -54% #2,519
1970s 47 5 0% #3,559
1980s 103 10 +119% #3,247
1990s 79 8 -23% #3,839
2000s 56 6 -29% #6,042
2010s 18 2 -68% #9,981
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Erving

Erving is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1881, 940 American babies have been named Erving. Its peak came in 1921, when 23 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Erving stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Erving?

The median living Erving is about 43 years old; half are between 32 and 67. An estimated 500 people named Erving are alive in the United States today.

median 43 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Erving year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 – –
2018 5 #12,739
2017 6 #11,178
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 7 #9,981
2012 – –
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 8 #9,244
2008 5 #13,142
2007 9 #8,397
2006 – –
2005 6 #10,502
2004 11 #6,680
2003 – –
2002 6 #9,748
2001 – –
2000 11 #6,042
1995 10 #5,628
1990 15 #3,839
1985 8 #4,839
1980 8 #4,633
1975 – –
1970 6 #4,404
1965 8 #3,062
1960 5 #4,213
1955 10 #2,639
1950 10 #2,482
1945 – –
1940 11 #2,224
1935 7 #3,051
1930 13 #2,216
1925 19 #1,830
1920 14 #2,253
1915 20 #1,572
1910 – –
1905 6 #1,138
1900 6 #1,211
1895 5 #1,134
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Famous people named Erving

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

  1. 1 Erving Goffman Erving Goffman Canadian-American sociologist (1922–1982) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Erving, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Erving?

The median living Erving is about 43 years old. Half of all living Ervings are between 32 and 67 years old.

How many people named Erving are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Erving are alive in the United States, based on 940 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Erving in 2025?

Erving did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Erving?

940 babies have been named Erving in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Erving most popular?

Erving peaked in 1921, when 23 newborns received the name.

Is Erving a boy or girl name?

Erving is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Erving rising or falling?

Erving is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Erving?

Well-known people named Erving include Erving Goffman (sociologist).

Names like Erving

Names that sound and feel close to Erving: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Erving with similar names → More names starting with E →